Our People
Central School of Ballet is a thriving community of passionate people who believe in providing world-leading professional training to provide global career opportunities for young people in the dance industry. The organisation also believes that access to dance through participation or opportunities to watch performances is part of our broader remit, encouraging children, teenagers and adults of all ages and backgrounds to engage with this artform, an important part of our cultural landscape.
Artistic Advisors
Mark Baldwin OBE | Former Artistic Director, Rambert |
Sir Matthew Bourne | Artistic Director, New Adventures |
Carole Gable | Founding Patron and Preserver of Christopher Gable’s Legacy and Ethos |
David Nixon OBE | Former Artistic Director, Northern Ballet |
Ashley Page OBE | International Choreographer |
Sharon Watson MBE | Principal, Northern School of Contemporary Dance |
Mark Osterfield, Executive Director
Mark Osterfield was appointed Executive Director for the Central School of Ballet in March 2020. Mark has spent his career managing leading arts organisations and facilitating change for the public benefit with social, cultural and economic impact. He worked on the major refurbishment of Camden’s Swiss Cottage Central Library that was completed in 2003. As Executive Director Tate St Ives Mark championed the refurbishment and extension of the iconic gallery, winning Art Fund Museum of the Year 2018 as a result of his leadership. Since 2018 he has worked as a consultant and interim Director for a number of visual arts organisations including Spike Island, and Wysing Arts Centre.
Having studied ballet as a child, including a short stint at the Royal Ballet School, Mark read English at Keble College, Oxford, and then took a second degree in Fine Art at Middlesex University. Mark plans to bring this experience to the new role at Central, supporting young people to achieve excellence as dancers, whilst seeking to broaden Central School of Ballet’s reach and engagement with diverse communities, from its new premises in Southwark on the South Bank.
Kate Coyne, Artistic Director and Professional Training Lead
Born in London, Kate trained at the Royal Ballet School. She joined London Contemporary Dance School for a post-graduate year and joined London Contemporary Dance Theatre under the directorship of Sir Robert Cohan. Later she joined Rambert Dance Company with the appointment of Christopher Bruce as Artistic Director. In these repertory companies she worked on new and restaged pieces with a variety of choreographers. Pursuing a freelance dance career she worked as a long-standing member of Michael Clark Company, with DV8, Mark Baldwin Dance Company, Jeremy James and Dancers, Martha Clarke, Michael Keegan-Dolan, Arthur Pita and Aletta Collins.
Kate has been the recipient of the Critics’ Circle national Dance Award for ‘Best Female Artist’, and a joint recipient with colleagues of the Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in Dance with London Contemporary Dance Theatre for their season at Sadlers Wells.
Kate retired from performing in 2012 and took up a post as Producer, Frieze Projects, followed by two years as Programme Director at Siobhan Davies Dance, and five years as Associate Director at Michael Clark Company. She is currently Artistic Director and Professional Training Lead at Central School of Ballet in London.
Kate is a trustee of The Dance Professionals Fund.
Higher Education
Dr Jamieson Dryburgh | Director of Higher Education Programmes |
Natasha King | Head of Studies |
Lindsay Jenkins | Learning Development Manager |
Susan Kempster | MA Course Lead |
Daniel Taylor | English Language Tutor |
Jo Easton | Study Skills Tutor |
Anna Gabryel-Morrison | Study Skills Tutor |
Deborah Groves | Study Skills Tutor |
Simonne Stewart | Study Skills Tutor |
Tutors
Adela Ramirez | Ballet Tutor |
Christopher Hinton-Lewis | Ballet Tutor |
Amy Hollins | Ballet Tutor |
Jann Esterhuizen | Ballet Tutor |
Yolandi Moreira | Pointe and Coaching Tutor |
Layla Harrison | Ballet Tutor |
Sayaka Ichikawa | Ballet Tutor |
Leanne King | Creative Projects Manager/Contemporary & Choreography Tutor |
Bim Malcomson | Choreography Tutor |
Emily Powell | Contemporary Tutor |
Ben Warbis | Contemporary Tutor |
Eilish Harmon-Beglan | Jazz Tutor |
Emma Flett | Spanish and Drama Tutor |
Rick Nodine | Improvisation Tutor |
Greg Davidson | Singing Tutor |
Robert Perkins | Drama Project Tutor |
Find out more about our tutors |
Ballet Central
Ben Warbis | Ballet Central Lead |
Philip Feeney | Tabor Music Director |
Chloe Ivey-Ray | Costume Production Manager / Designer |
Student Support
Anna Brodrick | Lead Physiotherapist & Head of Medical Department |
Sarah van der Riet | Physiotherapist |
Grainne Creegan | Physiotherapist |
Sara Gallie | Injury Prevention & Recovery/Pilates Tutor |
Markella Kefallonitou | Pilates Tutor |
Alex Brown | Strength and Conditioning Coach |
Carol Been | Student Support & Receptionist |
Provided by Altum Health | Clinical Psychology / Psychiatry |
Provided by Lucie Clements | Dance Psychology |
Dr Jon Rees at Fortius Clinic | Honorary Physician |
Mr Andy Roche at Fortius Clinic | Orthopaedic Support |
Widening Participation
Maxine Bunting-Thomas | Head of Widening Participation and Access |
Jo Hurst | Associate School and Short Courses Manager |
Ruth Kelner | Widening Participation and Access Administration Assistant |
Administration
Carolyn Braby | Director of Finance & Operations |
Josh Yeardley | Head of Registry and Admissions |
Rita Adewole | Finance Manager |
Violet Adolphus | Finance & Administration Officer |
Jo Bedingfield | Development Manager |
Sophie Le Bellec | PA to the Executive Director |
Heather Begbie | Senior School Administrative Assistant |
Lauren Hewett | Marketing and Social Media Officer |
Chris Imrie | Building Manager |
Imran Sheikh | Data Manager |
Erin Steeley | Development Officer |
George Boulton | Duty Manager |
Elizeane dos Santos | Duty Manager |
Jim Benson | Reception Services |
Gabriel Broadhurst | Reception Services |
Alice Giles | Reception Services |
Annabelle Hough | Reception Services |
Brenda Ilyalla | Reception Services |
Dinah Konadu | Reception Services |
Caitlin Moody | Reception Services |
Lewis Snell | Reception Services |
Mayuko Suzuki | Reception Services |
Consultants
Anita Hamilton | Communications & PR Consultant |
Kate Brooks | Fundraising Consultant |
Junior School Teachers
Lucy Bishop Laggett |
Abigail Bulfin |
Liesl Dowsett |
Philip Page |
Anna Zammit-Lupi |
Associate Programme Teachers
Jann Esterhuizen |
Annabelle Hough – maternity cover |
Emily Powell |
Giacomo Pini |
Juan Rodriguez |
Kate Webster |
Degree Course Pianists and Contemporary Musicians
Guy Attew |
Oliver Davies |
Philip Feeney |
Christopher Hobson |
Grant Horley |
Valerie Jonikic |
Reina Okado |
Samuel Peña Álvarez |
Kevin Shoemaker |
Neil Webster |
Junior School and Associate Programme Musicians
Andy Higgs |
Grant Horley |
Valerie Jonikic |
Reina Okada |
Gareth Thomas |
Mark Webster |
Neil Webster |